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Avoiding neuromuscular stimulation in liver irreversible electroporation using radiofrequency electric fields
Quim Castellví1,2,3, Borja Mercadal1,3, Xavier Moll4,3
1Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
Physics in Medicine and Biology
|December 14, 2017
Summary
High-frequency sinusoidal voltage bursts can induce irreversible electroporation (IRE) in tissues without causing unwanted nerve stimulation. This new method offers a safer alternative to conventional direct current (dc) pulses for electroporation therapies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Physics
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Electroporation therapies commonly use direct current (dc) pulses.
- Dc pulses can cause undesirable neuromuscular stimulation in excitable tissues.
- Irreversible electroporation (IRE) aims to ablate tissue using electric fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of sinusoidal voltage bursts for IRE.
- To determine if sinusoidal bursts can avoid neuromuscular stimulation.
- To compare IRE lesion characteristics between sinusoidal bursts and dc pulses.
Main Methods:
- In vivo study on rabbit liver using a monopolar electrode configuration.
- Delivery of 100 dc pulses or sinusoidal bursts (100 µs duration each).
- Monitoring thoracic movements and measuring lesion dimensions post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Sinusoidal bursts at ≥100 kHz avoided thoracic movements (neuromuscular stimulation).
- Effective IRE lesions were achieved with sufficiently high voltage sinusoidal bursts.
- IRE efficacy decreased as burst frequency increased.
- Higher electric field thresholds were observed for IRE with 100 kHz bursts (1.4 kV/cm) compared to dc pulses (0.5 kV/cm).
Conclusions:
- Sinusoidal voltage bursts offer a promising alternative to dc pulses for IRE.
- High-frequency bursts can induce IRE while preventing neuromuscular stimulation.
- Optimizing frequency and amplitude is crucial for effective and safe electroporation treatments.
